Process for infusing a terpene solution into a storage container that stores cannabis

ABSTRACT

A storage apparatus, adapted for storage of one or more cannabis materials during terpene infusion, is provided. The storage apparatus has a bottom portion, a wall integrally formed to surround the bottom portion, and to extend upward from the bottom portion, a top portion, and a removable mesh shelf. The top portion is removable from the storage apparatus. Furthermore, the top portion is in contact with the wall during closure of the storage apparatus. The removable mesh shelf is configured to bifurcate the storage apparatus into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber stores the one or more cannabis materials. Additionally, the second chamber stores a carrier medium for the terpene composition. The carrier medium emits an aroma from the terpene composition through the removable mesh to infuse the one or more cannabis materials with the aroma from the terpene composition.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

This disclosure generally relates to storage apparatuses. More particularly, the disclosure relates to storage apparatuses for cannabis.

2. General Background

Terpenes are hydrocarbon compounds found in a variety of plants, some of which are cannabis and some of which are not. In particular, terpenes are recognized for their ability to emit a strong aroma of varying scents, depending upon the particular terpene strain. With respect to cannabis, terpenes emit such scents to deter would-be attackers, such as herbivores, from eating the plant, or attract those who are more interested in eating the attackers, such as carnivores.

Furthermore, many cannabis plant growers tend to grow cannabis in a way that strengthens the potency of tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), which typically has the psychoactive effect of producing a sense or euphoria in a human being, the result of THC binding with cannabinoid 1 (“CB1”) receptors in the brain. Cannabis plants with a higher potency of THC than others also tend to have the terpenes that emit a smell typically considered to be a desirable aroma to many users of cannabis.

While being grown, cannabis may lose some, if not all, of the aroma associated with its terpenes. The aroma may be lost, or diminished, based on a variety of factors (e.g., seed selection, sub-optimal growing environment, etc.).

As a result, current apparatuses and processes do not adequately maintain the natural aroma from cannabis after being grown.

SUMMARY

A storage apparatus, adapted for storage of one or more cannabis materials during terpene infusion, is provided. The storage apparatus has a bottom portion, a wall integrally formed to surround the bottom portion, and to extend upward from the bottom portion, a top portion, and a removable mesh shelf. The top portion is removable from the storage apparatus. Furthermore, the top portion is in contact with the wall during closure of the storage apparatus. The removable mesh shelf is configured to bifurcate the storage apparatus into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber stores the one or more cannabis materials. Additionally, the second chamber stores a carrier medium for the terpene composition. The carrier medium emits an aroma from the terpene composition through the removable mesh to infuse the one or more cannabis materials with the aroma from the terpene composition.

As an alternative, a storage apparatus kit, adapted for storage of one or more cannabis materials and for terpene infusion, is provided. The storage apparatus kit has a terpene solution, a container storing the terpene solution, a plurality of carrier media, a container storing the carrier media, and the foregoing storage apparatus.

As yet another alternative, a process is provided for terpene infusion within the foregoing storage apparatus. The process positions a plurality of carrier media within a first chamber of a storage apparatus. Furthermore, the process applies a terpene solution to the plurality of carrier media within the first chamber of the storage apparatus such that the plurality of carrier media absorb the terpene solution. The process also positions a removable mesh shelf within the storage apparatus. The removable mesh shelf bifurcates the storage apparatus into the first chamber and a second chamber. Moreover, the process positions one or more cannabis materials within the first chamber. The removable mesh shelf prevents the one or more cannabis materials from contacting the plurality of carrier media.

Finally, the process seals the storage apparatus such that the plurality of carrier media emits an aroma from the absorbed terpene solution through the removable mesh shelf to infuse the one or more terpene materials with the aroma.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a disassembled view of the storage apparatus.

FIG. 1B illustrates a bottom portion of the storage apparatus.

FIG. 1C illustrates an assembled view of the storage apparatus, illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A illustrates an end-user pouring the plurality of carrier media from a carrier media container into the storage apparatus.

FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom portion of the storage apparatus.

FIG. 3A illustrates the end-user pouring the terpene solution from a terpene solution container into the storage apparatus.

FIG. 3B illustrates the terpene solution making contact with the plurality of carrier media for subsequent absorption.

FIG. 4A illustrates the expanded carrier media situated beneath the removable mesh shelf, on which the cannabis materials may be positioned.

FIG. 4B illustrates the fully situated components of the storage apparatus.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process that may be utilized by the end-user to operate the storage apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A storage apparatus is provided to store cannabis and infuse an aroma from a terpene composition into the cannabis. In particular, the storage apparatus has a first chamber, dedicated to storing a carrier medium of the terpene composition, and a second chamber, dedicated to storing one or more cannabis materials (e.g., cannabis flowers, leaves, etc.). In essence, the storage apparatus allows for storage of the one or more cannabis materials prior to use, while also infusing the one or more cannabis materials with an aroma to improve the smell and/or taste of the one or more cannabis materials during use. Accordingly, the storage apparatus may be adapted for olfactory, and/or gustatory, use with one or more cannabis materials.

Furthermore, the bifurcated chambers allow the storage apparatus to compartmentalize the carrier medium away from the one or more cannabis materials, thereby preventing, or minimizing, any contamination of the one or more cannabis materials. Accordingly, the one or more cannabis materials may remain dry (i.e., moisture-free) during absorption by the carrier medium of the terpene composition within the first chamber.

In one embodiment, the storage apparatus is part of a storage apparatus kit. For example, a container with a terpene solution and a container with a plurality of carrier media (e.g., expandable beads capable of absorbing the terpene solution) may be included with the storage apparatus, or provided as accessories. A terpene infusion process may be performed by the end-user to prepare the storage apparatus kit for terpene infusion. For example, the end-user may pour the plurality of carrier media into the first chamber of the storage apparatus and pour the terpene solution into the first chamber of the storage apparatus so that the plurality of carrier media absorb the terpene solution. The end-user may also place the one or more cannabis materials in the second chamber during the absorption of the terpene solution by the plurality of carrier media, or may wait until the terpene solution has been absorbed by the plurality of carrier media. As an example, the plurality of carrier media may be gel beads fabricated from at least sodium polyacrylate.

The terpene solution itself is not limited to any particular formula. For instance, the terpene solution may include a terpene blend of various terpene materials. As an example, the terpene materials may include one or more naturally derived non-cannabis terpene isolates, which are food grade. As another example, the terpene materials may include one or more terpenes extracted from one or more cannabis plants. As yet another example, the terpene materials may form a cannabis/non-cannabis hybrid formulation, including one or more terpenes extracted from one or more cannabis plants and one or more naturally derived non-cannabis terpene isolates.

Furthermore, the terpene blend may include materials other than specific terpenes. For instance, the terpene blend may include one or more essential oils. Additionally, or alternatively, the terpene blend may include one or more flavor enhancers, such as an ester and an aldehyde.

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate disassembled and assembled views of a storage apparatus 100. In particular, FIG. 1A illustrates a disassembled view of the storage apparatus 100. In one embodiment, the storage apparatus 100 has a cylindrical configuration (e.g., canister) with a cylindrical wall 101. (The cylindrical configuration is just one example of a variety of shapes (e.g. cube) that may be used for the storage apparatus 100.) Furthermore, the storage apparatus 100 may have a top portion 102 (e.g., cap) that is removable from the storage apparatus 100. For example, an end-user may remove the top portion via various actions (e.g., twisting, pulling, etc.). Additionally, the storage apparatus 100 may have a removable mesh shelf 103 that bifurcates the storage apparatus 101 into a first chamber and a second chamber. For instance, cannabis materials 104 (e.g., cannabis flowers, leaves, etc.) may rest on the removable shelf 103, in the second chamber, when the removable mesh shelf 103 is positioned within the storage apparatus 100. The removable mesh shelf 103 has one or more openings that allow aroma from terpene composition within the second chamber to be infused into the first chamber, where the cannabis 104 is positioned. The second chamber is delineated as the area between the removable shelf 103 and the underside portion of the top portion 102.

In another embodiment, the removable mesh shelf 103 has a solid layer, and is operably connected to a vent through which the aroma from the terpene composition is passed from the first chamber to the second chamber. In yet another embodiment, an integrated shelf is used in place of the removable mesh shelf 103. For example, the integrated shelf may have a door through which the terpene solution is positioned in the first chamber. The integrated shelf may be integrally formed with the wall 101 of the storage apparatus 101. Furthermore, the integrated shelf may have an aroma emission mechanism, such as a mesh or vent configuration. Accordingly, after positioning of the terpene composition within the first chamber and sealing the storage apparatus 100, the end-user may achieve terpene aroma emission for infusion into the cannabis 104 without additional emission activation on the part of the end-user. FIG. 1B illustrates a bottom portion 110 of the storage apparatus 100.

FIG. 1C illustrates an assembled view of the storage apparatus 100, illustrated in FIG. 1. Upon closure of the storage apparatus 100, the end-user may have to wait for a predetermined time period (e.g., twenty four to forty eight hours) to allow for maximum terpene infusion. In one embodiment, the end-user waits for the predetermined time period prior to placing the cannabis materials 104 within the storage apparatus 100. At the conclusion of the predetermined time period, the terpene composition should be fully absorbed, or substantially absorbed (e.g., seventy percent to ninety nine percent absorption rate), thereby removing liquid from the storage apparatus 100 prior to positioning of the cannabis 104 within the storage apparatus 100. As a result, mold or other contaminants are prevented from affecting the cannabis materials 104. In another embodiment, the end-user places the cannabis materials 104 in the storage apparatus 100 at the outset of the predetermined time period, and allows the cannabis materials 104 to be present during the absorption of the terpene composition. In either of the foregoing embodiments, the removable mesh shelf 103 provides sufficient bifurcation between the first chamber, where the terpene composition is located, and the second chamber, where the cannabis materials 104 are located; thus, contamination is prevented, or at least minimized.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a plurality of carrier media 201 being dispersed within the storage apparatus 100. In particular, FIG. 2A illustrates an end-user 203 pouring the plurality of carrier media 201 from a carrier media container 202 into the storage apparatus 100. (Alternatively, a machine may perform such dispersion.) Furthermore, FIG. 2B illustrates the bottom portion 110 of the storage apparatus 100. The bottom portion 110 is integrally formed with the wall 101. In one embodiment, the bottom portion 110 may have a plurality of compartments 211, which are formed from a plurality of vertical walls 212 integrally formed to raise from the bottom portion 110. After the end-user pours the plurality of the carrier media 201 into the storage apparatus 100, the plurality of carrier media 201 may naturally fall into the various compartments 211. Furthermore, the vertical walls 212 may be elevated to a particular height, which determines the height of the first chamber. In other words, the removable mesh shelf 103 may rest on the vertical walls 212, thereby rendering the bifurcation between the first chamber and the second chamber. (The term “vertical wall” is intended to refer to elevation of a divider wall for the plurality of compartments along a vertical axis extending from the bottom portion 110 upward toward the top portion 102, when sealed.) The vertical walls 212 may be arranged in a variety of patterns (e.g., grid, concentric circles, etc.).

Moreover, in one embodiment, the plurality of carrier media 201 are miniaturized at the outset of dispersion into the plurality of compartments 211. Upon subsequent contact with the terpene solution, the plurality of carrier media 201 absorb the terpene composition by expanding in size, thereby carrying the terpene composition without moisture, or with only minimal moisture, in the storage apparatus 100.

In an alternative embodiment, instead of having multiple compartments, the bottom portion 110 may have only a single compartment. In essence, the bottom portion 110 may have a single compartment 211, and an outer rim that acts as the elevated wall for placement of the removable mesh shelf 103.

In yet another alternative embodiment, an insert elevation device may be inserted into the storage apparatus 100 to hold the removable mesh shelf 103 in an elevated state over the bottom portion 110 of the storage apparatus 100.

In another alternative embodiment, the removable mesh shelf 103 may be held in an elevated state by contacting the inner portion of the wall 101 in an adherent manner. Accordingly, the removable mesh shelf 103 may be held in place without resting on a component of the bottom portion 110.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a terpene solution 301 being dispersed toward the plurality of carrier media 201 situated at the bottom portion 110 of the storage apparatus 100. For example, FIG. 3A illustrates the end-user 203 pouring the terpene solution 301 from a terpene solution container 302 into the storage apparatus 100. FIG. 3B illustrates the terpene solution 301 making contact with the plurality of carrier media 201 for subsequent absorption. (Although multiple carrier media 201 are illustrated, a single carrier media 201 (e.g., one relatively large absorption bead) may be utilized instead.)

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate inner views of the storage apparatus 100 after a predetermined time period for the plurality of carrier media 201 to absorb the terpene solution 301 illustrated in FIG. 3B. In particular, FIG. 4A illustrates the expanded carrier media 201 situated beneath the removable mesh shelf 103, on which the cannabis materials 104 may be positioned. Furthermore, FIG. 4B illustrates the fully situated components of the storage apparatus 100. The removable mesh shelf 103 bifurcates the storage apparatus 100 into a first chamber 401 and a second chamber 402. The first chamber 401 encompasses the plurality of compartments 211 storing the expanded plurality of carrier media 201, and the second chamber 402 stores the cannabis materials 104. (The positioning of the removable shelf 103 may be higher or lower than that illustrated in FIG. 4B, which is provided only as an example.)

Additionally, FIG. 5 illustrates a process 500 that may be utilized by the end-user 203 to operate the storage apparatus 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4B. At a process block 501, the process 500 positions a plurality of carrier media 201 within a first chamber 401 of the storage apparatus 100. Alternatively, a single carrier medium may be utilized. As yet another alternative, no carrier medium is utilized (i.e., one or more beads may be fabricated from the terpene solution 301). Further, at a process block 502, the process 500 applies a terpene solution 301 to the plurality of carrier media 201 within the first chamber 401 of the storage apparatus 100 such that the plurality of carrier media 201 absorbs the terpene solution 301. Additionally, at a process block 503, the process 500 positions the removable mesh shelf 103 within the storage apparatus 100. The removable mesh shelf 103 bifurcates the storage apparatus 100 into the first chamber 401 and a second chamber 402. Also, at a process block 504, the process 500 positions one or more cannabis materials 104 within the first chamber 401. The removable mesh shelf 103 prevents the one or more cannabis materials 104 from contacting the plurality of carrier media 201. Finally, at a process block 505, the process 500 seals the storage apparatus 100 such that the plurality of carrier media 201 emit an aroma from the absorbed terpene solution 301 through the removable mesh shelf 103 to infuse the one or more terpene materials with the aroma.

It is understood that the apparatuses and processes described herein may also be applied in other types of apparatuses and processes. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various adaptations and modifications of the embodiments of the apparatuses and processes described herein may be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present apparatuses and processes. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the present apparatuses and processes may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. 

I claim:
 1. A storage apparatus, adapted for storage of one or more cannabis materials during terpene infusion, the storage apparatus comprising: a bottom portion; a wall integrally formed to surround the bottom portion, and to extend upward from the bottom portion; a top portion that is removable from the storage apparatus, the top portion being in contact with the wall during closure of the storage apparatus; and a removable mesh shelf that is configured to bifurcate the storage apparatus into a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber storing the one or more cannabis materials, the second chamber storing a carrier medium for the terpene composition, the carrier medium emitting an aroma from the terpene composition through the removable mesh to infuse the one or more cannabis materials with the aroma from the terpene composition.
 2. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable mesh shelf prevents the one or more cannabis materials from contacting the carrier medium.
 3. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the carrier medium is a bead fabricated from at least sodium polyacrylate.
 4. The storage apparatus of claim 3, wherein the bead absorbs at least a portion of the terpene composition via application through a terpene solution, the bead expanding in size to perform the absorption.
 5. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion is circular.
 6. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wall is cylindrical.
 7. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top portion is configured to be removed from the storage apparatus via a twisting motion.
 8. A storage apparatus kit, adapted for storage of one or more cannabis materials and for terpene infusion, the storage apparatus kit comprising: a terpene solution; a container storing the terpene solution; a plurality of carrier media; a container storing the carrier media; and a storage apparatus, the storage apparatus comprising: a bottom portion, a wall integrally formed to surround the bottom portion, and to extend upward from the bottom portion, a top portion that is removable from the storage apparatus, the top portion being in contact with the wall during closure of the storage apparatus, and a removable mesh shelf that is configured to bifurcate the storage apparatus into a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber storing the one or more cannabis materials, the second chamber storing the carrier media, the carrier medium emitting an aroma from the terpene composition through the removable mesh to infuse the one or more cannabis materials with the aroma from the terpene composition.
 9. The storage apparatus kit of claim 8, wherein the removable mesh shelf prevents the one or more cannabis materials from contacting the carrier media.
 10. The storage apparatus kit of claim 8, wherein the carrier medium is a bead fabricated from at least sodium polyacrylate.
 11. The storage apparatus kit of claim 10, wherein the bead absorbs at least a portion of the terpene composition via application through a terpene solution, the bead expanding in size to perform the absorption.
 12. The storage apparatus kit of claim 8, wherein the bottom portion is circular.
 13. The storage apparatus kit of claim 8, wherein the wall is cylindrical.
 14. The storage apparatus kit of claim 8, wherein the top portion is configured to be removed from the storage apparatus via a twisting motion.
 15. A method comprising: positioning a plurality of carrier media within a first chamber of a storage apparatus; applying a terpene solution to the plurality of carrier media within the first chamber of the storage apparatus such that the plurality of carrier media absorb the terpene solution; positioning removable mesh shelf within the storage apparatus, the removable mesh shelf bifurcating the storage apparatus into the first chamber and a second chamber; positioning one or more cannabis materials within the first chamber, the removable mesh shelf preventing the one or more cannabis materials from contacting the plurality of carrier media; and sealing the storage apparatus such that the plurality of carrier media emit an aroma from the absorbed terpene solution through the removable mesh shelf to infuse the one or more terpene materials with the aroma.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of carrier media expand in size upon the absorption of the terpene solution.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the terpene solution comprises a plurality of naturally derived non-cannabis terpene isolates, a plurality of essential oils, and a plurality of flavor enhancers.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of naturally derived non-cannabis terpene isolates are food grade.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of flavor enhancers is selected from the group consisting of: an ester and an aldehyde.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the terpene solution comprises a terpene blend of distinct terpenes extracted from one or more cannabis plants. 